“An ethnographic look into how complex the air pollution problem is, is important because it's not a symptom, it's a structural problem.” -Chisato Fukuda Calvert, Ph.D.
Episode Description:
Air quality is drastically affected by wildfires, which can lead to health risks that extend beyond the immediate danger of the fire itself. The region where the fire occurs is usually at the highest risk of air quality deterioration. However, smoke plumes can develop and travel far distances, impacting areas well beyond the wildland-urban interface.
Wildfires are an urgent matter that has been burning for decades. From the natural history of wildfires to their role in the environment, we know there’s a lot to understand. That’s why we’re dedicating today’s entire podcast to understanding the relationship between wildfires and air quality.
In this episode, Jennifer sits with Dr. Chisato Fukuda Calvert, the Interim Director of Open AQ and member of After the Fire Board of Directors. They talk about the urgency of the air pollution problem, the culture, equity, and politics around air pollution, and how to build trust and connection to help the community better navigate this systemic issue. Dr. Chisato also shares her study on air pollution and how it affects our physiology.
Wildfire smoke and its health impacts are something that can occur without warning and without notice. These natural disasters, unfortunately, happen all too often, but we are not left without resources. Tune in as Dr. Chisato shares practical ways we can safeguard our health and that of our family.
Connect with After the Fire: Recover. Rebuild. Reimagine.
Website : https://afterthefireusa.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/after-the-fire-usa-8241b7217/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ
Highlights:
01:33: Living with Air Pollution
08:01: Navigating a Systemic Issue
12:33: The Central Work in Disaster Recovery
18:01: A Basic Necessity for a Big Job
20:53: Air Quality and Equity
25:54: The Threshold of Air Pollution
34:28: Cost-Effective Air Purifiers
39:14: Finding the Silver Lining
44:04: An Opportunity to Do Better
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chisatocalvert/
Connect with Open AQ:
Website https://openaq.org/#/
Twitter https://twitter.com/openaq
GitHub https://github.com/openaq/
Slack https://join.slack.com/t/openaq/shared_invite/zt-yzqlgsva-v6McumTjy2BZnegIK9XCVw
Connect with Air Quality LA city:
Website https://airquality.lacity.org/